[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 9, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61042-61044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29332]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-31-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Air Cruisers Company Emergency 
Evacuation Slide/Rafts

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Air Cruisers Company 
emergency evacuation slide/rafts. This proposal would require a one-
time repacking of affected slide/rafts identified by serial numbers, 
and repetitive folding of all affected slide/rafts whenever the slide/
rafts are removed from the airplane during scheduled aircraft 
maintenance. This proposal is prompted by reports of separation of the 
lower aspirator during a number of deployments. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the slide to 
properly inflate, which could result in the inability to evacuate the 
passenger cabin in the event of an aircraft emergency.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 99-NE-31-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent via the Internet 
using the following address: ``[email protected]''.

[[Page 61043]]

Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the 
subject line. Comments may be inspected at this location between 8:00 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Air Cruisers Company, Technical Publications Department, 
PO Box 180, Belmar, NJ 07719-0180; telephone (732) 681-3527, fax (732) 
280-8212. This information may be examined at the FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, 3rd floor, Valley Stream, NY 11581-1200; 
telephone (516) 256-7520, fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NE-31-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NE-31-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received reports of 
separation of the lower aspirator during a number of deployments of Air 
Cruisers Company emergency evacuation slide/rafts, part numbers (P/Ns) 
62774-401, 62774-402, 62774-403, 62774-404, 62774-405, 62774-406, 
62774-407 and 62774-408. The investigation revealed that the lower 
aspirator is not being placed and set correctly within the pack during 
manufacture. No incidents have been reported from the field. However, 8 
incidents occurred at Air Cruisers Company and at Boeing during quality 
control functionality inspections. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in failure of the slide/raft to properly inflate, which 
could result in the inability to evacuate the passenger cabin in the 
event of an aircraft emergency.

Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Air 
Cruisers Company Service Bulletin (SB) 777-107-25-06, dated February 
19, 1999, that identifies improperly packed slide/rafts by serial 
number (S/N), and describes procedures for repacking of affected slide/
rafts; and slide/raft folding procedure P-12054 and P-12064, Revision 
E, dated October 14, 1998.

Proposed Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other slide/rafts of this same design, the proposed 
AD would require one-time repacking of affected slide/rafts identified 
by S/N within 2 months (after the effective date of this AD, and for 
uninstalled slide/rafts, prior to installation. The compliance time is 
based upon risk analysis. In addition, this AD would require folding of 
slide/rafts that are removed for scheduled maintenance within 18 months 
after the effective date of this AD, and repetitive folding whenever 
the slide/rafts are removed from the airplane during scheduled aircraft 
maintenance, in accordance with the latest FAA-approved folding 
procedure. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service documents described previously.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 314 slide/rafts of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 74 slide/rafts installed on 
airplanes of US registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it 
would take approximately 10 work hours per slide/raft to accomplish the 
repacking, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on US 
operators is estimated to be $44,400.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) If promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES..

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Air Cruisers Company: Docket No. 99-NE-31-AD.

    Applicability: Air Cruisers Company emergency evacuation slide/
rafts, part

[[Page 61044]]

numbers (P/Ns) 62774-62774-401, 62774-402, 62774-403, 62774-404, 
62774-405, 62774-406, 62774-407 and 62774-408, installed on but not 
limited to Boeing 777-200 and -300 series airplanes.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each slide/
raft identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless 
of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area 
subject to the requirements of this AD. For slide/rafts that have 
been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the slide to properly inflate, which could 
result in the inability to evacuate the passenger cabin in the event of 
an aircraft emergency, accomplish the following:

Repacking

    (a) For slide/rafts listed by serial number (S/N) in Air 
Cruisers Company Service Bulletin (SB) 777-107-25-06, dated February 
19, 1999, accomplish the following:
    (1) For slide/rafts currently installed on aircraft, repack 
within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, in accordance 
with the procedures described in Air Cruisers Company SB 777-107-25-
06, dated February 19, 1999.
    (2) For uninstalled slide/rafts, prior to installation repack in 
accordance with the procedures described in Air Cruisers Company SB 
777-107-25-06, dated February 19, 1999.

Folding

    (b) Fold slides whenever the slide/rafts are removed from the 
airplane during scheduled aircraft maintenance, in accordance with 
Air Cruisers Company folding procedure P-12054 and P-12064, Revision 
E, dated October 14, 1998.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office. Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the New York Aircraft Certification 
Office.

Ferry Flights

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 3, 1999.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-29332 Filed 11-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U